Fiji Politics

Authorities loosened curfew restrictions in Fiji's capital, Suva, as they continued to search for the last of a group of renegade soldiers who tried to take over the city's main military base Thursday. Spokesman Maj. Howard Politini said troops scouring areas around Suva found three rebels overnight, bringing to 15 the number captured after they escaped from the base following the uprising.

Authorities loosened curfew restrictions in Fiji's capital, Suva, as they continued to search for the last of a group of renegade soldiers who tried to take over the city's main military base Thursday. Spokesman Maj. Howard Politini said troops scouring areas around Suva found three rebels overnight, bringing to 15 the number captured after they escaped from the base following the uprising.

Talks to free 30 politicians being held hostage by Fijian nationalist rebels were on hold again today because of a "misunderstanding" between the rebels and Fiji's military government. The military said the rebels had not appreciated that it had made its final offer; rebel leader George Speight said the problem was minor and that talks should resume later in the day. Both called the interruption a misunderstanding. A military spokesman also said he expected the talks to resume later today.

Fiji's new president, a frail and elderly tribal chief, was sworn in today and urged reconciliation in the ethnically divided island nation that had been paralyzed by a two-month hostage crisis. Ratu Josefa Iloilo took the oath of office in a stately residence overlooking the harbor of the capital, Suva, before an audience that included nationalist coup leader George Speight.

Under intense pressure from the international community, the head of the military government declared Monday that he will not give any more ground to rebel leader George Speight, who has been holding much of the country's elected government hostage for more than two weeks.

Rebels who seized control of Parliament charged today that Fiji's military backed out of an agreement that would have led to the quick release of 30 hostages. The rebel leader, businessman George Speight, had said he might release his captives by Monday, contingent on an agreement with the military to let Fiji's influential tribal chiefs determine the next form of government, military or civilian. "There's been a breach of faith," Speight spokesman Jo Nata said today.

Defying hostage-takers, Fiji's military rulers said today that they would appoint a civilian government without consulting further with the gunmen. The indigenous Fijian rebels holding the government hostage since May 19 have demanded a presence in the interim government before releasing their prisoners, who include deposed Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry, an ethnic Indian.

Fiji's new president, a frail and elderly tribal chief, was sworn in today and urged reconciliation in the ethnically divided island nation that had been paralyzed by a two-month hostage crisis. Ratu Josefa Iloilo took the oath of office in a stately residence overlooking the harbor of the capital, Suva, before an audience that included nationalist coup leader George Speight.

Defying hostage-takers, Fiji's military rulers said today that they would appoint a civilian government without consulting further with the gunmen. The indigenous Fijian rebels holding the government hostage since May 19 have demanded a presence in the interim government before releasing their prisoners, who include deposed Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry, an ethnic Indian.

Under intense pressure from the international community, the head of the military government declared Monday that he will not give any more ground to rebel leader George Speight, who has been holding much of the country's elected government hostage for more than two weeks.

Talks to free 30 politicians being held hostage by Fijian nationalist rebels were on hold again today because of a "misunderstanding" between the rebels and Fiji's military government. The military said the rebels had not appreciated that it had made its final offer; rebel leader George Speight said the problem was minor and that talks should resume later in the day. Both called the interruption a misunderstanding. A military spokesman also said he expected the talks to resume later today.

Rebels who seized control of Parliament charged today that Fiji's military backed out of an agreement that would have led to the quick release of 30 hostages. The rebel leader, businessman George Speight, had said he might release his captives by Monday, contingent on an agreement with the military to let Fiji's influential tribal chiefs determine the next form of government, military or civilian. "There's been a breach of faith," Speight spokesman Jo Nata said today.